Dreams in A Raisin in the Sun Essay Example

How hard is it to start a business? Everybody has a dream, but dreams do not always come true. In the book, A Raisin in the Sun, by Lorraine Hansberry, everybody has a dream, but not everyone’s dreams come true. This book is about family and love and how the family grows closer together. Dreams and Wishes of course everyone has, but some, need to be compromised for the good of your family. 

The family has different dreams and ideas, and a vision of their future, but these dreams and ideas conclude in arguments, in which they realize their dream may have to be compromised. For example, Beneatha’s wish is to become a doctor, but there is always something stopping her from reaching her goal. “BENEATHA (In unison) —“to be a doctor.” (Hansberry). Walter also has a dream. Walter has his whole life planned out for the future, but not everyone thinks that Walter having his own liquor store is the best idea. “WALTER (Quietly) Sometimes it's like I can see the future stretched out in front of me—just plain as day. The future, Mama. Hanging over there at the edge of my days. Just waiting for me—a big, looming blank space—full of nothing. Just waiting for me. But it don't have to be. (Pause. Kneeling beside her chair) Mama—sometimes when I'm downtown and I pass them cool, quiet-looking restaurants where them white boys are sitting back and talking 'bout things ... sitting there turning deals worth millions of dollars ... sometimes I see guys don't look much older than me—” (Hansberry) Walter is comparing himself to a man, not his color, and describing how much better their lives are not being a person of color.  

Now, their dreams have become compromised and probably more complicated, for the best of the family. Walter had always wanted his own place for his family to live a normal life and for his son to not sleep on a couch. So, Mama went out and bought a house. Everyone seems to be happy and joyful about this decision. “MAMA  (Putting her finger on his nose for emphasis) She went out and she bought you a house! (The explosion comes from WALTER at the end of the revelation and he jumps up and turns away from all of them in a fury. MAMA continues, to TRAVIS) Are you glad about the house? It’s going to be yours when you get to be a man." (Hansberry). Well, except for Walter. Walter is disappointed in this purchase because he thinks it’s a waste of money. However, Mama did this for a good reason. “MAMA  (Still to his back, fingering things on the table) ’Course I don’t want to make it sound fancier than it is … It’s just a plain little old house—but it’s made good and solid—and it will be ours. Walter Lee—it makes a difference in a man when he can walk on floors that belong to him …" (Hansberry). Mama did this purchase for the best of the family because living in their own house with their own bathroom and not having to share it with anyone will solve a lot of the problems. It will help Walter’s dream of having his own place. Buying this house will bring the family closer together because they will not complain as much about the things they needed or wanted in the apartment. 

People have dreams, but dreams can get crushed, by the people you love most. A Raisin in the Sun showed perseverance through thick and thin times, but in the end, your dreams may help grow out of your comfort zone, and grow closer to others. Dreams may not be able to come true, but family is always important and will always be there for you no matter what. Sometimes your compromised dreams and wishes are the best for the community and the sake of your family.